This is the fourth message in our worship series, “Why?” In this series we are asking questions about, “Why we believe what we believe.” This morning’s topic is, “Why we believe the Bible.”

If we asked the average Christian on the street, “Why they believe the Bible?” They would likely answer, “Because the Bible is inspired by God.”

If we asked them, “Why do you think the Bible is inspired by God?” They would likely answer, “Because the Bible says it is.” Some might even quote 2 Timothy 3:16, Every scripture is inspired by God… The Bible says it is inspired, so it is to be believed and trusted.

Technically, that answers the question, “why do you believe the Bible.” For some people that is enough. But for others, that answer is the religious equivalent of “because.” “Why do you believe the Bible?” “Because the Bible tells me to.”

This is what’s known as circular reasoning. Circular reasoning is just repeating a claim in the form of proof. For example: “You know that I’m telling the truth, because I tell you that I always tell the truth.” That’s not an answer. I just repeated myself. Quoting the Bible to prove the Bible is lazy and doesn’t engage the mind.

In this message, we will engage our minds in seeking to define or redefine why we believe the Bible.